Chapter 219

**Elle's POV**

I paced the backstage lounge at Manhattan Club like a caged animal,my sequined pink gown catching the light with each furious step. The two bodyguards Brandon had sent stood by the door like statues, watching my every move.

"How the hell did this happen?" I muttered, tugging at my pearl necklace.

"It was supposed to be∗me∗!′′

Jane sat on the edge of a velvet settee, her manicured nails tapping rhythmically against her clutch. She hadn't said much since Brandon humiliated us in front of the entire company.

"Elle, sit down," she finally said, her voice tight. "Stop pacing. You're making me dizzy."

I ignored her, continuing to circle the room. The image of Summer dancing with Brandon kept flashing through my mind, making me physically ill.

"Aunt Jane," I whispered, my voice trembling, "what are we going to do?She... do you think Brandon did that on purpose? How could he not know that Summer looks *exactly* like Lyanna? And he's been callingher to his office repeatedly.*His office*."

Jane's head snapped up, her eyes widening. "What did you say? Brandon already knew about this Summer? And he knew she looks like Lyanna?"

"What else could it be?" I demanded, my fingers twisting together in my lap. "I've been wondering why he keeps calling her to his office. And even

though I hadn't seen her before, something about her silhouette felt so familiar. Now I know why-she's a carbon copy of Lyanna! Do you think Brandon might be..."

"Impossible," Jane cut in firmly. "Even if she looks like Lyanna, they're not the same person. And don't forget how Lyanna left Brandon, how she left New York. What does Brandon hate most in this world? It's the reason he still hasn't forgiven me after all these years. He has no feelings left for Lyanna, and he certainly couldn't have feelings for this Summer."

"But Jane," I said, my voice rising with panic, "I hate her.I really,*really*hate her. Just thinking about her walking around with Lyanna's face makes me feel sick. Jane, you have to get rid of her."

Jane's eyes hardened. "I'll figure something out. One way or another,this woman must go!"

My gaze drifted to the bodyguards still watching us. Their presence suddenly felt suffocating.

"You two, come here," I called out, adopting my most authoritative tone."Brandon only told you to protect me, not to stare at me all night like I'm some kind of prisoner."

The taller guard-Desmond-didn't move. "Miss Sinclair, Mr. Wilson's instructions were very clear. We are to stay with you and Mrs. Sinclair at all times. Please don't make our job more difficult."

Jane turned to the bodyguards, her voice dropping to that silky, dangerous tone. "Gentlemen, I am Brandon's mother. You do know who I am,don't you? Then you should also know that crossing me would be... unwise for your careers."

"Mrs. Sinclair, with all due respect," Desmond replied calmly, "we're simply following orders. Mr. Stark pays our salary, and we only answer to him."

Jane's eyes narrowed dangerously before her lips curved into a cold smile. "Very well. I won't make things difficult for you. But I would like some tea.

Desmond nodded,clearly relieved. "T'll have someone bring it right away."

"Wait," I called after him. "I need to see someone. Brandon's secretary,Monica. Bring her here. And the person who prepared the drawing box for tonight-bring them too!"

Minutes later, Monica appeared in the doorway,followed by a nervous-looking staff member.

"Miss Sinclair," she said politely, "you asked to see me?"

Rage exploded inside me. Without thinking, I crossed the room and slapped her hard across the face.

Monica staggered back, her hand flying to her cheek. "Miss Sinclair!" she gasped, "What have I done to deserve this? Weren't you just telling me the other day that we're friends?"

"Friends?" I laughed harshly."With*you*? If you weren't Brandon's secretary, I wouldn't give you the time of day!"

"I guess I misjudged you completely, Miss Sinclair," Monica replied, her expression hardening.

"Like I care what you think," I sneered. "Did you really believe there was any genuine feeling between us? Haven't I given you enough perks

already?"

"Indeed," Monica replied tightly. "So why exactly did you summon me here? Found out I'm no longer useful, so you thought you'd kick me to the curb with a slap for good measure?"

"Stop playing dumb!" I spat. "Tell me the truth-did you switch the drawing box?"

My hand flew up to slap her again, but this time Monica caught my wrist mid-air.

"Miss Sinclair," she said, her voice dangerously soft, "You've already slapped me once-do youreally want to try for a second time?"

"Are you threatening me?" I hissed. "Let me tell you something-even if something *unfortunate* were to happen to you, Brandon wouldn't care.You're just a secretary. Your life means nothing."

Monica smiled,sending a chill down my spine. "I don't understand what you're talking about, Miss Sinclair. The drawing box was prepared early this morning. Why would I need to switch anything? Unless... there's some secret about the box that I don't know about? A secret that *you*know,perhaps?"

"That's ridiculous! I don't know anything!"

Monica turned to Jane. "Miss Sinclair has physically assaulted me without provocation. I may be just a secretary, but I am Mr. Stark's personally appointed chief secretary.Would you care to comment?"

I saw realization dawn in Jane's eyes-she'd figured out what I'd done.I'd switched the tags in the drawing box, but someone had switched them back.

"Jane," I pleaded desperately, "say something! You're a member of the Stark family, the mother of the CEO! Are you going to let a mere secretary intimidate you?"

When Jane remained silent, my panic escalated. "Jane, please! Help me!I can't stand the sight of this woman. Tell Brandon-tell your brother to get rid of her. I never want to see her again!"

"Enough!" Jane finally snapped. "When will you stop this nonsense?"

Monica's lips curled into a knowing smirk.

"What do you want?" Jane demanded, turning to Monica.

"I don't want anything," Monica replied innocently. "Tve been gone far too long already-the main event of the annual party is about to begin. If I'm not there, Mr. Stark will wonder where I am, and the entire Stark Group will know that Mrs. Sinclair-”

"Get out!" Jane interrupted, her face flushed with anger. "Get out right now!

"Thank you, Mrs. Sinclair," Monica replied with a slight bow, not hiding her triumphant expression as she left.

"How could you let her leave like that?" I turned on Jane. "She's clearly behind this! She's deliberately working against me! If it weren't for her,I would have been dancing with Brandon tonight, not that woman!"

"Enough!" Jane hissed, grabbing my arm. I stared at her, shocked by her anger.

"Don't you understand?" Jane continued, lowering her voice. "Monica wouldn't dare act this way unless she had Brandon's backing. Which

means Brandon likely knows about what you did with the drawing box."

"That's not possible..."

"I warned you to be nice to Monica, didn't I? Besides James,she's the person Brandon trusts most. Do you think she became chief secretary at her age by being naive? And now you've made an enemy of her. What were you thinking?"